Costs
Preparation of an accompanied suicide
Doctor’s consultation
Costs for completing an accompanied suicide
Funeral and registry office expenses
Preparation of an accompanied suicide
Several significant administrative expenses are incurred by DIGNITAS when making the arrangements for an accompanied suicide until the “provisional green light” is given (= a medical doctor gives basically approval to a member’s request for a prescription, yet reserves his or her definite decision until a personal consultation). Based on the DIGNITAS statutes, members are asked to pay an additional contribution of 4’000 Swiss Francs, which must be settled in advance. However, no guarantee of an accompanied suicide can be linked to this payment.
Doctor’s consultation
Further costs will be incurred because a Swiss medical doctor who co-operates with DIGNITAS must be involved to meet a member and subsequently write the prescription for the drug. Two extended consultations with the physician and related administrative charges cost an additional contribution of 1’000 Swiss Francs.
Costs for completing an accompanied suicide
Costs (such as the fee paid to the person acting as an escort/helper, a contribution towards the cost of the DIGNITAS apartment and so on) are also incurred by DIGNITAS. In order to cover these costs and to maintain the quality of this service, DIGNITAS is compelled to ask for a further contribution of 2’500 Swiss Francs for the completion of an accompanied suicide.
Funeral and registry office expenses
If a person dies in a DIGNITAS apartment in Switzerland rather than in their own home the charges levied by funeral directors are higher. Cremation in Switzerland is generally recommended and the urn containing the ashes can be sent on without difficulty.
The costs for the services of the funeral director including a cremation normally come to 2’500 Swiss Francs, including charges payable to the relevant Swiss authorities and the cost of despatching the urn.
On request, DIGNITAS can also take care of the official procedures following a death in Switzerland. This separate service incurs an additional contribution of 1’000 Swiss Francs, to cover expenses.
Upon agreeing on a date for an accompanied suicide, the member will receive a pro-forma invoice detailing the additional payments he or she is required to make. An accompanied suicide can only be completed if DIGNITAS is confident that all of the costs and expenses incurred will be met. Consequently, DIGNITAS normally requires advance payment. The total payable is 11’000 Swiss Francs if DIGNITAS is asked to make all the necessary funeral and administrative arrangements; or 7’500 Swiss Francs if DIGNITAS is not required to take care of the funeral or administrative/official affairs.
In all costs V.A.T. not included. All costs subject to change.
Therefore, in the interest of proper accounting procedures, members are invoiced accordingly for these separate services and the invoices must normally be settled in advance.
The DIGNITAS statutes make provision for a reduction of (or even complete exemption from) membership fees for members who live under modest economic circumstances: this provision also applies to the additional contributions associated with preparing and completing an accompanied suicide. However, it is essential that any reduction of or exemption from contributions is discussed and agreed beforehand between the member and DIGNITAS.